Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
S03049
I S PATENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
__
This invention generally relates to remote control
apparatus and, more particularly, to novel and high-
ly-effective apparatus for remotely controlling the opera-
lion of one or more electronic devices.
Description of the Prior Art
Remote-control apparatus is available for turning
on and off the power source of various electronic incitory-
mints at a desired time. For example, remote-control
apparatus has been proposed for producing and transmitting a
remote control signal in response to a stored timer program
at a predetermined time, thereby to effect remote control of
audio instruments r video tape recorders, television receive
ens and the like.
In such remote control apparatus, a timer may be
employed as a remote-control unit and may be inserted into a
ROM (read-only memory) cartridge entrance port of a personal
computer. Then, if time signals are arranged to have a
predetermined relation to one another, audio instruments, a
video tape recorder, a television receiver and so on can be
controlled by the keyboard of a personal computer in real
time. More specifically, a predetermined event signal can
be supplied from the keyboard to a CPU (genial processing
unit), which then produces the data corresponding to the
event signal by reference to a ROM in which a data table is
stored, and this data is supplied through an infrared
encoder to an LED that functions as an infrared transmitter.
I PATENT
However, although a relatively complex timer
program can be written and then stored by such timer appear-
tusk there is a concern that the timer program will contain
an error and that the audio instruments, video tape record-
or, television receiver and the like will not be operated as
intended.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to overcome the
above-noted drawback of conventional remote-control
apparatus and, in particular, to provide remote-control
apparatus that makes it possible to determine whether or not
the audio apparatus, video tape recorder, television
receiver and so on will be properly operated in accordance
with a timer program when the timer program is set.
Another object of the invention is to provide
remote-control apparatus that can transmit a xemote-control
signal at a predetermined time in accordance with a stored
timer program and that can carry out a simulation when the
timer program is written and stored.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention,
apparatus is provided for remotely controlling the operation
of at least one electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
a remote-control unit comprising a read-only memory for
storing a data table, means for generating a program to be
executed at a predetermined future time, a random-access
memory for storing the program, a central processing unit
jointly interactive with the read-only memory and the
random-access memory, and a transmitter controlled by the
central processing unit for producing a remote-control
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S03049
I PATENT
signal based on the data table and the program; a receiver
responsive to the remote-control signal for controlling the
device in accordance therewith; and simulation means for
producing the remote-control signal before the predetermined
future time; whereby at least a portion of the program is
pre-executed as a test of its validity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the objects, features
and advantages of the invention can be gained from a concede-
oration of the following detailed description of the pro-
furred embodiment thereof in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters
designate like elements and parts, and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a diagram of remote-control apparatus
that employs a personal computer and to which the present
invention is applicable, and of various electronic devices
controlled thereby;
Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram of no-
mote-control apparatus in which a ROM cartridge of a person-
at computer is provided with an infrared encoder;
Figs. 3 and 4 are flow charts respectively showing
the steps involved in setting and transmitting a
remote-control signal;
Ego. 5 is a flow chart showing the simulation mode
of a timer program of the present invention; and
Fig. 6 is a diagram of a display portion of the
remote-control apparatus.
PATENT
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Remote-control apparatus is available for turning
on and off the power source of, for example, audio incitory-
mints, video tape recorders, and television receivers at a
desired time. The remote-control apparatus shown in Figs. 1
and 2, or example, can produce and transmit a no-
mote-control signal in response to a previously stored timer
program at a predetermined future time, thereby to effect
remote control of audio instruments 1, a video tape recorder
2, a television receiver 3 and so on at a desired time
The audio instruments 1 comprise a prehuman
amplifier TAX a tuner STY a cassette tape recorder TO, a
compact disc player CUD and a record player PUS, respectively.
An infrared remote-control signal is received by a
remote-control signal receiver lo provided on the tuner STY
of the audio instruments 1. In accordance with the received
remote-control signal, a predetermined command signal is
selectively supplied by the tuner STY to the prehuman
amplifier TAX the cassette tape recorder TO, the compact
disc player CUD and the record player PUS of the audio
instruments 1; to the video tape recorder 2; or to the
television receiver 3. The selected apparatus is thus
caused to execute a desired operation. Of course, the video
tape recorder 2 and the television receiver 3 can each be
provided with a remote-control signal receiver and be
controlled thereby.
The remote control signal is for example a digital
signal of 12 bits and is assigned to the audio instruments
1, the video tape recorder 2 and the television receiver 3
as indicated for example in the following table 1:
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PATENT
TABLE 1
TV VTRAUDIO SYSTEM
CODE Non CODE 10000 01000 10110
1 0000000 OH- 1 OH- 1 1 (preset memory)
2 1000000 OH- 2 OH- 3 2
3 0100000 OH 3 OH- 3 3
4 1100000 OH- 4 OH- 4 4
0010000 OH- 5 OH- 5 5
6 1010000 OH- 6 OH- 6 6
7 0110000 OH- 7 OH- 7 7
8 1110000 OH- 3 OH- 8 8
9 0001000 OH- 9 OH- 9 9
lo 1001000 SHEA SHEA 0
11 0101000 OH 11 Chill
12 1101000 SHEA SHEA
13 0011000 SHEA SHEA
14 1011000 SHEA SHEA
0111000 SHEA SHEA MEMORY
1111000 CH-16/(CLEARl SHEA AUTO
17 0000100 SHEA SHEA SHEA
18 1000100 SHELLEY SHELLEY SHELLEY
19 0100100 VOLLEYED TUNE-UP
1100100 VEILLIKE TUNE-DOWN
21 0010100 MUTE x3
22 1010100 POWER ON/OFF POWER ON/OFF POWER CN/OFF
23 0110100 NORMAL EJECT MEMORY SCAN
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I PATENT
TV VTR AUDIO SYSTEM
CODE No CODE 10000 01000 10110
24 1110100 MIX MAIM/SUB MIX l!~IN/SUB
2 5 0 0 01]. 0 0 PICTURE-HIGH STOP FM
26 1001100 PICTURE-LOW PAUSE LO
2 7 010110 0 COLOR-VIVID PUB MY (AM)
2 8 110110 0 COLOR-PALE REWIND SW
29 0011100 OH LOCK OF SW 2
O . .
.
.
In table 1, the reference TV designates the
television receiver 3, VET the video tape recorder 2, and
AUDIO SYSTEM the audio instruments 1.
A personal computer 4 (Fig. 1) is provided with a
keyboard pa, a ROM cartridge entrance port 4b into which a
software cartridge for computer games and so on is inserted,
and other components customary on a general purpose personal
computer. Timer apparatus 5 performs a timing function and
also serves as a remote-control unit for producing an
infrared remote-control signal. The timer apparatus 5 is
formed so that it can be connected to the ROM cartridge
entrance port 4b.
As Fig. 2 shows, the timer apparatus 5 serving as
the ramote-control unit comprises a CPU (central processing
unit) pa for processing a data signal, a ROM (read only
memory) 5b in which the data shown in table 1 is stored so
as to supply the data to the CPU pa, a RAM random access
memory 5c that stores a predetermined program and supplies
it to the CPU pa at a predetermined time, a clock generating
circuit or oscillator Ed that performs a clock function and
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I S03049
PATENT produces a predetermined time signal, an LED (light-emitting
diode) ye, an infrared-ray encoder of that converts the
output signal of the CPU pa to a drive signal that drives
the LED So to omit an infrared ray corresponding to the
output signal of the CPU pa, and a power source or battery
So. The timer apparatus 5 is provided with a terminal
portion 6 by which, when the timer apparatus 5 is inserted
into the ROM cartridge entrance port 4b of the personal
computer 4, a predetermined electrical connection is
established there between. The timer apparatus 5 is moreover
provided with a display oh (Fig. 1) that displays the time
in response to the time signal produced by the clock
generating circuit Ed (Fig. 2).
A monitor receiver 7 (Fig. 1) may be provided for
the personal computer 4. Alternatively, the television
receiver 3 can be used as the monitor receiver 7.
When a desired timer program signal is to be
written in the RAM 5c of the timer apparatus 5, the terminal
portion 6 of the timer apparatus 5 is first inserted into
the ROM cartridge entrance port 4b of the personal computer
4, and predetermined terminals thereof are electrically and
automatically connected to one another. The CPU pa, the RAM
So and so on of the timer apparatus 5 are then controlled by
using the keyboard pa ox the personal computer 4. The
writing of the timer program in the RAM 5c is carried out,
as Fig. 3 shows, in the sequence "data setting", "turn ON
time setting", "turn OFF time setting" and "event setting".
An example of the timer program is given in the following
table:
I POTATO
TABLE 2
August 31 10:00 Reproducing cassette
tape recorder TO
10:30 ALL OFF
11:00 Recording channel 10 by
video tape recorder 2
12:00 ALL OFF
The timer program is written into the RAM 5c
through the CPU pa. When the writing of the program is
completed, the timer apparatus 5 is removed from the person-
at computer 4 and then placed at any convenient location.
The flow chart of Fig. 4 shows the operation of
the timer apparatus 5. As Fig. 4 shows, in the timer
apparatus 5, the program determines at step SPA whether or
not the oscillator Ed is counting. If the oscillator Ed is
found not to be counting, the program loops back. If the
oscillator Ed is determined to be counting when checked at
step SAY when, whether or not the next event time has
arrived at the setting time is judged by the timer program
at step SUB. This is done with the aid of the time signal
from the clock circuit So. Until the set time arrives as
determined a step SUB, the program loops back. When the
event time arrives as determined at step SUB, it is
determined at step SC whether the RAM 5c contains data. If
it contains no data, the program loops back. If the RAM SC
S03049
I PATENT
contains Dick when checked at step SC, then the content of
the event is read out from the RAM 5c at step SD and the
event is executed. The content of the event is confirmed at
step SE and the data code corresponding to this event is
produced a step SF with reference to the data table stored
in the ROM 5b. The data is then supplied through the
infrared encoder of to the LED ye, and the infrared ray
corresponding thereto is transmitted by the LED ye at step
SO. By this infrared ray, the audio instruments 1, the
video tape recorder 2, the television receiver 3 and so on
are controlled to execute the predetermined operations.
Then, whether or not all of the events thus set have been
executed is confirmed at step SHY If all of the events have
not been executed when checked at step SHY the program loops
back to step SE. When all of the events thus set have been
executed, one remote-control operation is finished. In
accordance with the timer program stored in the RAM 5c, the
operation described above is sequentially carried out
repeatedly, and a series of remote-control operations in
accordance with a predetermined setting time are thus
carried out.
In the example described above, while the timer
apparatus 5 serving as the remote-control unit is still
inserted into the ROM cartridge entrance port 4b of the
personal computer 4, it is possible that, if the time
signals are arranged to have a predetermined relation, the
audio instruments 1, the video tape recorder 2, the tote-
vision receiver 3 and so on can be controlled by the key-
board pa of the personal computer 4 in real time. More
specifically, a predetermined event signal can be supplied
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3 PATENT
from the keyboard pa to the CPU pa, which then produces the
data corresponding to the event signal with reference to the
ROM 5b in which the data table is stored, and this data is
supplied through the infrared encoder of to the LED ye.
However, although a relatively complex timer
program can be written and then stored by the apparatus,
there is a concern that the program will contain an error
and that the audio instruments 1, the video tape recorder 2,
the television receiver 3 and the like will not be operated
as intended.
The present invention removes this concern. Figs.
5 and 6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a simulation
mode and an associated display in accordance with the
invention. The hardware employed in accordance Wit to the
invention may have any of a variety of configurations and
may include the timer apparatus serving as the infrared
remote-control unit shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The writing and
storing of a predetermined timer program is carried out in
accordance with a procedure shown in the flow chart of Fig.
5.
In accordance with this embodiment of the in-
mention, when a predetermined timer program is stored in the
RAM SC (Fig. 2) of the timer apparatus 5 serving as the
remote-control unit, the terminal portion 6 of the timer
apparatus 5 serving as the remote-control unit is inserted
into the ROM cartridge entrance port 4b (Fig. 1) of the
personal computer 4, and predetermined terminals thereof are
electrically connected to one another. Then the CPU pa
(Fig 2), the RAM 5c and so on of the timer apparatus 5
PATENT
serving as the remote-control unit are controlled by the use
of the keyboard pa (Fig 1) of the personal computer 4.
As the flow chart of Fig. 5 shows, the timer
program is set and then stored in the sequence "set data",
"set timer-ON time", "set timer-OFF time", and "set event",
at steps Sly So, So and So, respectively. This is done by
the use ox the keyboard pa of the personal computer 4.
Then, at step So, it is determined whether or not a
simulation is to be carried out. When the timer program is
such that, for example, a tape is to be reproduced by the
cassette tape recorder TO during the period from 10:00 arm.
to 10:30 arm., the timer-ON time is set at 10:00 arm., the
timer-OFF time is set at 10:30 arm., and the event is set so
that the cassette tape recorder TO is placed in the playback
mode
As Fig. 6 shows, the thus set timer program is
displayed on a video screen pa of the monitor receiver 7 of
the personal computer 4. When a simulation is to be carried
out, a cursor (not shown controlled by the keyboard pa
(Fig. 1) is placed in the position "O" (Fig. 6) adjacent to
"simulation?" on the display screen pa of the monitor
receiver 7, and then an execution key on the keyboard pa is
depressed. This causes the event signal to be produced, and
a remote-control signal corresponding to the event signal it
emitted at step So (Fig. 5) by the LED ye (Fig. 2) under the
control of the CPU pa and the infrared encoder of.
The cassette tape recorder TO is (in the example)
then plea d in the playback mode at step So (Fig. 5) for,
say, 15 seconds, so that it can be determined whether or not
the program as written causes the event to be properly
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PATENT
executed. An ALL OFF signal is then produced at step So.
If the operation by the remote-control unit at that time is
satisfactory as determined at step So, the timer program is
recorded in the RUM 5c at step S10. If on the other hand
the operation by the remote-control unit is not satisfactory
as determined at step So, the timer program loops back to
step So so that it can be rewritten. If the user of the
apparatus elects at step So not to carry out a simulation
and approves the program at step So the timer program as
originally written is stored in the RAM 5c directly.
The circuit construction and operation of this
embodiment of the invention is otherwise similar to that
described hereinhefore in connection with Figs. 1 to 4.
According to the present invention as set forth
above, when the timer program is written and then stored in
the RAM 5c, a simulation can be carried out so that it is
possible to confirm whether or not the remote-control
operation as programmed by the set timer program will be
properly executed. This removes the concern of the user
regarding a possible mistake in the program.
Many modifications of the preferred embodiment of
the invention disclosed herein will readily occur to those
skilled in the art upon consideration of this disclosure.
For example, the manner of commanding a simulation, the
information about the program displayed on the screen pa and
other details may be varied within wide limits. According-
lye the invention is limited only by the appended claims
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